What Women Want

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2:17

What Women Want

PG-13

2000

2h 6m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

53%

Tomatometer

122 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson) gets a whole new outlook on life when a fluke accident gives him the ability to read women's minds. At first, this "gift" provides Nick with way too much information, but he begins to realize that he can use it to good effect, especially when it comes to outwitting his new boss, Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt).

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Critics Consensus

Even though Gibson is a good sport in his role, What Women Want is a rather conventional, fluffy comedy-romance that doesn't make good use of its premise.

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Hillel Italie

Associated Press

There's nothing profound about the film, but it stays with you. After leaving the theater you'll find yourself turning an ear toward strangers and listening hard.

Oct 25, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Gibson keeps this movie afloat.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 29, 2010

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

The women are basically innocent victims of male piggishness… The men are all cads.

Rated: C-

May 8, 2002

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

I hate it

Aug 1, 2024

Full Review

Bianca Garner

In Their Own League

Just a bit of fluff that is perfect to watch while chilling out on the sofa.

Feb 3, 2021

Full Review

Andy Klein

Los Angeles CityBeat

English's attempts to fit The Women into a modern setting are intelligent, but that, unfortunately, does not suffice, because the film is so limp in so many other ways.

Nov 12, 2008

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C H

This is at its core a stupid 2000s movie. Its premise is entirely wacky and random, but I will say that that doesn’t make it bad. Would I ever search for this movie in particular? No. But did I enjoy it by the end? Did I genuinely start to root for Nick? Yes. His character is actually very well done, and the change is gradual. You can see how he never has explicitly bad intentions, he is simply self-obsessed at the beginning. And despite the disingenuous end of the story line with Lola, Nick does slowly turn from the selfish horrible person everyone knows him to be into a good father and man. The arc with Alex was genuinely good, and I thought her actress did a great job. Nick learns what it means to be a good man, and by the end of the movie is committed to this idea because of his love for those around him, which is a good enough ending for me.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/03/25

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Ed .

Enjoyable if slight film with a maturing but still sober Mel.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

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Ed R

A VERY clever take on the romance we express versus what we truly feel on the inside.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

Full Review

Jace E

I think this movie would be a bit better if Mel Gibson's character wasn't such a huge jerk for the first half of the film. I get that they are trying to show his character growth and evolution, but dang, he is just so unlikable from the jump. While the film does a decent job of showing how overwhelming it would be to hear all of the countless thoughts surrounding him, ultimately I felt that it barely scratched the surface. In trying to be about women empowerment, it kind of did the opposite. I don't think that "What Women Want" is a terrible movie, but it is one that I don't see myself rewatching. Best Character: Darcy Best Quote: "My dad? He's always been... like an uncle to me. Yeah, Uncle Dad." - Alex Best Scene: Helping Erin

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

Full Review

Douglas E

This is, without a doubt, one of the best romantic comedies I’ve ever seen! Full of memorable scenes, it truly lives in my heart

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/04/25

Full Review

JAMES H

Hilarious: Don't know why it's rated so badly.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

Full Review

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Nancy Meyers

Director

Mel Gibson

Nick Marshall

Helen Hunt

Darcy Maguire

Marisa Tomei

Lola

Mark Feuerstein

Morgan

Lauren Holly

Gigi

What Women Want: Official Clip - Confession and Profession

1:50

What Women Want: Official Clip - The Brutal Truth

1:49

What Women Want: Official Clip - Flo's Thoughts

0:44

What Women Want: Official Clip - Working Relationship

1:57

What Women Want: Official Clip - Streams of Consciousness

0:55

What Women Want: Official Clip - Imagine the Possibilities

1:50

What Women Want: Official Clip - Back to Normal

1:58

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What Women Want: Trailer 1

2:17

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Synopsis

Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson) gets a whole new outlook on life when a fluke accident gives him the ability to read women's minds. At first, this "gift" provides Nick with way too much information, but he begins to realize that he can use it to good effect, especially when it comes to outwitting his new boss, Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt).

Director: Nancy Meyers
Producer: Susan Cartsonis, Bruce Davey, Gina Matthews, Nancy Meyers
Screenwriter: Josh Goldsmith, Nancy Meyers, Cathy Yuspa
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Icon Entertainment International, Wind Dancer Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 15, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $182.8M
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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